A relative newcomer to the industry has taken out the title of the world’s best Pinot Noir for 2015. A Central Otago Pinot from Crown Range Cellar has been awarded the Pinot Noir Trophy at the 2015 International Wine & Spirit Competition. Made from Gibbston Valley grapes by Central Otago veteran and previous IWSC Pinot Noir Trophy winner Grant Taylor, IWSC New Zealand panel chair Jo Burzynska described the limited edition release as unfurling that revealed beautifully textured black cherry fruit, infused fragrant notes of spice, herb forest floor and smoke. The same wine, Crown Range Cellar Signature Selection Grant Taylor Collection Pinot Noir 2013, has also won the Pinot Noir Trophy at this year’s China Wine100 Challenge and a double gold at the 2015 China Wine and Spirits Awards. Founded just three years ago by Grant Taylor and Kiwi entrepreneur Jing Song, 29-year-old Jing is the youngest wine producer in the NZ history to achieve such an award. The award winning 2013 Pinot Noir is sold out in New Zealand and only a handful of bottles are available to diners at Auckland’s The Grill, Gusto and TriBeCa restaurants.
WORLD’S BEST PINOT NOIR
